Are the Gift Card Rumors True?

Rumors have been circulating around the Internet surrounding stores that are going out of business and if gift cards are still redeemable. Emails like this one are showing up in inboxes across America:

If you have gift certificates to any of these stores you better use them before it's too late. The following stores will be going out of business and closing down between October 2008 and January 2009.

Circuit City: Has filed Chapter 11 and will close several stores in Texas, but the one in Amarillo will remain open. Gift cards are still accepted online and at open locations.

Ann Taylor: Will close 117 stores over a three year period ending in 2010. Locations of store closing have not been released. Gift cards are still accepted online and at open locations.

Lane Bryant: Will close 40 stores nationwide. Gift cards are still accepted online and at open locations.

Talbots: Has closed its Mens and Kids departments. The company does not have any plans to shut down any more stores and dispels the rumor on their website.

Gap: Will close 115 stores nationwide, but will open 100 new stores, so the company will have a net loss of 15 stores. The Amarillo Gap will remain open and Gap is not pulling out of any market all together.

Whitehall Jewelers: Currently running a "Going Out of Business Sale". The rumor is true.

Zales: The company has closed 107 under-performing stores, but has opened 47 new locations.

JC Penney: Denies rumors of any store closings. They says they are opening a few new stores.

Dillard's: 20 of their 327 stores will be closing nationwide. Dillard's is not exiting any markets completely at this time. Gift cards are still being accepted.

Linens n Things: has filed for bankruptcy and is closing all of their stores by the end of 2008. Gift cards are no longer for sale, but you will be able to use gift cards that have already been purchased.

Life can be greatly disrupted when a family member is hospitalized, especially when that member is a child. That's where a local organization steps in to assist as we learn in this edition of Good News with Doppler Dave.

Life can be greatly disrupted when a family member is hospitalized, especially when that member is a child. That's where a local organization steps in to assist as we learn in this edition of Good News with Doppler Dave.